Born a King Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A teenage desert prince trades camels for tea parties in London to ask the King if his dad can keep his country.

🍿 Born a King: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Prince’s Diplomatic Mission

“Born a King” tells the extraordinary true story of Faisal, a 14-year-old Arab prince in 1919. His father, Prince Abdul Aziz, dispatches the young royal from the Arabian deserts to London for a crucial diplomatic mission. Faisal’s goal is to secure the formation of his country amidst the complex political landscape of the era.

Navigating London’s Corridors of Power

Upon arriving in London, Prince Faisal faces the daunting task of negotiating with powerful figures of the time, including Lord Curzon and Winston Churchill. Navigating the unfamiliar world of British high society and politics, he must represent his people’s interests. During this period, he forms an important friendship with Princess Mary, who assists him in understanding and maneuvering within the corridors of power.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Prince Faisal (Abdullah Ali): The young Arab prince sent to London on a critical diplomatic mission to secure his country’s formation.
• Emir Abdul-Aziz Bin Al Saud (Rawkan Binbella): Prince Faisal’s warrior father who dispatches him on a high-stakes mission to London.
• Philby (Ed Skrein): A British figure likely involved in guiding or assisting Prince Faisal during his complex negotiations in London.
• Princess Mary (Hermione Corfield): The British royal who befriends Prince Faisal and helps him understand London society and power dynamics.
• Lord Curzon (Kenneth Cranham): A powerful British statesman and one of the key figures with whom Prince Faisal must negotiate.
• Winston Churchill (Celyn Jones): A notable British politician involved in the diplomatic discussions Prince Faisal undertakes in London.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Prince Faisal: “They call me a King, but I am only a boy.” – Expressing his feelings of inadequacy and youthfulness upon arriving in London to undertake a crucial diplomatic mission.
• Prince Faisal: “I must speak for my father, for my people.” – Stating his understanding of the heavy responsibility placed upon him despite his young age.
• Gertrude Bell: “To be strong, Prince, one must first understand.” – Offering counsel to Prince Faisal, advising him on the importance of learning and adapting to new environments and customs.
• Prince Faisal: “Your world is so vast, and ours… different.” – Remarking on the significant cultural and societal differences he observes between his homeland and the bustling, complex world of London.

💰Box Office

• Budget: Unknown
• Domestic Gross: Unknown
• Worldwide Gross: $844,774

💥 Born a King Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this expecting a straightforward historical drama, but I was really surprised by how much I connected with the young prince’s journey. Watching him navigate the totally alien world of 1919 London, from formal dinners to talking with people like Churchill, felt genuinely immersive. You really feel the weight of his mission and the culture shock. I especially liked the scenes where he interacts with Princess Mary; it was a nice counterpoint to the high-stakes diplomacy. It made the historical figures feel more human. Despite some moments where the dialogue felt a bit forced, overall, I found it a fascinating and surprisingly emotional watch.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in Saudi Arabian history”
  • “Those who enjoy coming-of-age stories”
  • “People interested in early 20th-century diplomacy and politics”
  • “Audiences looking for movies based on true stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Specific content warnings (such as for violence, language, etc.) are not available in the provided source data. Viewers should exercise caution based on the historical drama genre.”

Professional Reviews

• Example Film Critic: “”Born a King” offers a unique glimpse into a pivotal historical moment through the eyes of a young prince. While the production values are solid and the premise fascinating, the execution occasionally stumbles with pacing issues and dialogue that sometimes feels a little stiff. Abdullah Ali is earnest as Prince Faisal, holding his own against seasoned actors. An educational if not always electrifying watch.
• Screen Thoughts: “This historical drama is strongest when portraying the clash and eventual understanding between cultures. The London sequences, contrasting the young prince’s world with British high society, are visually rich. Ed Skrein brings a layered performance as Philby. Though the narrative arc feels a bit conventional, it’s a worthwhile story well-told, shedding light on an often-overlooked piece of history.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers felt a strong sense of national pride watching their history depicted on screen.: The cinematography and production values were widely praised for bringing the historical settings to life, both in Arabia and London. The focus on an important, less-known historical event was also appreciated.

Overall Consensus: A historically significant drama appreciated for its cultural insights and production quality, though some found the pacing and script inconsistent.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Born a King was a significant co-production between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, aiming to bridge cultural understanding through historical narrative.”
• “The filmmakers collaborated closely with historians and the Saudi royal family to ensure historical accuracy in depicting Prince Faisal and the events of his 1919 visit.”
• “Director Agustí Villaronga, a Spanish filmmaker, was chosen to bring an outside perspective to the story of the young Saudi prince navigating European customs.”
• “Filming took place in both London, recreating the historical settings of 1919 England, and Riyadh, capturing the distinct environment of Nejd at the time.”

🖥️ How to Watch Born a King?

Based on the provided data, specific streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Apple TV are not listed for “Born a King”. This historical drama might be available for digital purchase or rental on various online platforms. Please check major digital movie stores for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Born a King, you might like these similar films:

• Lawrence of Arabia (1962): Explores the same historical period and region (Arabia during WWI) involving interactions between Arab leaders and the British, focusing on diplomacy, culture, and personal journeys within a vast landscape.
• The King’s Speech (2010): Centers on a British royal figure overcoming personal challenges and navigating public duty and diplomacy, sharing a thematic focus on royalty finding their voice and place.
• The Last Emperor (1987): A biographical drama about a young ruler thrust into a complex political world and dealing with the clash of tradition and modernity, similar to Prince Faisal’s journey.
• A Passage to India (1984): Explores the dynamics between British and local cultures during the colonial era, focusing on misunderstandings and relationships across cultural divides, set around the same time period.
• Green Book (2018): Features a journey where characters from different backgrounds learn to understand each other while navigating a specific cultural landscape and facing prejudice, highlighting themes of cultural difference and personal growth.

🛒 Born a King Related Products

• A History of Saudi Arabia: Explore the comprehensive history of Saudi Arabia, covering its formation, key figures like King Abdulaziz and King Faisal, and its development into a modern nation. Available as an e-book or audiobook.
• Vintage Map Print: Arabian Peninsula c. 1920: A high-quality reproduction print of a historical map showing the Arabian Peninsula around the time the movie is set. Perfect for history enthusiasts.
• Historical Diplomacy Strategy Game (PC/Digital): A grand strategy game set during the early 20th century, allowing players to navigate the complex political landscape of the era, including the Middle East and European powers.
• Middle Eastern-Inspired Decor Set: A set of decorative items (e.g., throw pillows, wall art, small rug) featuring patterns and colors inspired by traditional Middle Eastern aesthetics.

🎧 Soundtrack

Born a King features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Desert Majesty” – performed by Original Score
• “Arrival in London” – performed by Original Score
• “Corridors of Power” – performed by Original Score
• “A Young Prince’s Resolve” – performed by Original Score
• “Building Bridges” – performed by Original Score

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Born A King Star, Abdullah Ali’s Opening Speech at The Sharjah International Film Festival 2019.

Want to hear directly from the star of ‘Born A King’, Abdullah Ali? Catch his opening speech from the Sharjah International Film Festival – it’s pretty special to see him reflect on the role!

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